Chapter I 

 PREPARATION OF THE LAND 



It is well to aim high even when getting ready to plant 

 things in the ground. — Harriet. 



f I ^HE man, woman or youngster who 

 really wants a garden, will somehow 

 manage to have a good one regard- 

 less of soil conditions, bad weather, 

 measles in the family, or whether the 

 area of ground at hand is a square 

 acre or a square rod. But, of course, 

 if one has a chance to select the site 

 and the soil, 'tis well to know what 

 to choose. 



LccATiON OF THE GARDEN. — If it is to be a family 

 garden, designed primarily to furnish an all-season 

 supply of fresh things for the home table, the loca- 

 tion should be one handy to the house, but not handy 

 to the hen-house. 



If it is to be a truck garden, primarily for profit, 

 nearness to a city or fair-sized town is an important 

 point to consider. Why? Because market, manure 

 and labor will then be within easy reach, and the 

 gardener can more easily keep posted on market con- 

 ditions. Long hauls are expensive ; long-distance 

 connections are not always satisfactory. If he can 

 not locate within easy driving distance of such a 

 place, then the next best thing is to choose a spot 

 within easy reach of railway station or steamboat 

 wharf, whereby quick transportation (preferably 



